Jules Verne:
Science Fiction Technology and Ideas
Jules Verne (1828-1905) was born in Nantes, France. As a child, he shipped out as a cabin boy on a merchant ship (he was caught and returned to his parents). He was sent to study law in Paris, but wrote plays instead. When his parents cut the money off, he wrote stories to support himself. His classic works of what came to be known as science fiction paid him well; in 1876 he purchased a large yacht and sailed around Europe, fulfilling his childhood wish.
Invention/Technology Source Work (Publication Date)

Air Renewal
Re-oxygenating the air within the projectile spacecraft.

From the Earth to the Moon (1867)

Atmospheric Advertising - write it on the clouds
A means of mass advertising to cities and countries.

In the Year 2889 (1889)

Burn the Ship
Utilize parts of the ship as fuel for forward movement.

Around the World in 80 days (1868)

Columbiad - 900 foot cannon
An enormous cannon, sufficient in size to send a projectile to the Moon.

From the Earth to the Moon (1867)

Communicate with Extraterrestrials - first use of concept
Early plan to communicate with life on planets removed from the earth.

From the Earth to the Moon (1867)

Diving Apparatus - scuba diving in the 19th century
Equipment used to go for walks on the sea bed; the direct ancestor of modern scuba diving equipment.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1875)

Electrify the Rail - repel boarders!
Use of substantial electrical charge applied to outer hull to repel potential boarders.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1875)

Free Return Trajectory - first mention
The idea that it would be possible for a projectile to go around the Moon and then return to Earth.

From the Earth to the Moon (1867)

Fulgurator
An 'autopropulsive projectile'.

Facing The Flag (1896)

Gourmet Space Cuisine
The finest in French cuisine, in outer space.

From the Earth to the Moon (1867)

Launching Facility - in Florida
A specific spot with support for a space launch.

From the Earth to the Moon (1867)

Leyden Ball - grandfather of the taser
Device for hunting underwater; transfers a powerful electrical charge to the prey.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1875)

Light Pressure Propulsion - first use of this idea
First mention of the idea that light itself could be a form of propulsion for spacecraft.

From the Earth to the Moon (1867)

Live News - prediction of newscasts
The modern concept of a news broadcast.

In the Year 2889 (1889)

Nautilus - Captain Nemo's ride
The wondrous submarine of Captain Nemo; the instrument of his escape from humanity and his revenge upon it.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1875)

Paper Steel
Specially treated paper that forms material as hard as steel.

Robur-the-Conqueror (1866)

Phonotelephote - earliest reference to videophone
A means of transmitting and receiving both voice and picture for a personal conversation.

In the Year 2889 (1889)

Projectile-Vehicle - Verne's spacecraft
A projectile, or shot, capable of enclosing passengers and being safely hurled to the moon by an enormous cannon.

From the Earth to the Moon (1867)

Recorded News - Tivo for radio in 1889
This is the basic idea behind Tivo and VCRs.

In the Year 2889 (1889)

Retro-Rockets - Verne invented them!
Small boosters to provide a thrust counter to the current velocity of the spacecraft, slowing it down or stopping its progress altogether.

From the Earth to the Moon (1867)

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